remainder

[ri-meyn-der]

noun

1. something that remains or is left.

   the remainder of the day.

   Synonyms: overage, rest, excess, remnant, residuum

2. a remaining part.

3. Arithmetic.

   1. the quantity that remains after subtraction.

   2. the portion of the dividend that is not evenly divisible by the divisor.

4. Mathematics.,  the difference between a function or a number and an approximation to it.

5. Law.,  a future interest so created as to take effect at the end of another estate, as when property is conveyed to one person for life and then to another.

6. Philately.,  remainders, the quantities of stamps on hand after they have been demonetized or otherwise voided for postal use.

7. a copy of a book remaining in the publisher's stock when its sale has practically ceased, frequently sold at a reduced price.

adjective

1. remaining; leftover.

verb (used with object)

1. to dispose of or sell as a remainder.

remainder

/ rɪˈmeɪndə /

noun

1. a part or portion that is left, as after use, subtraction, expenditure, the passage of time, etc

   the remainder of the milk

   the remainder of the day

2. maths

   1. the amount left over when one quantity cannot be exactly divided by another

      for 10 ÷ 3, the remainder is 1

   2. another name for difference

3. property law a future interest in property; an interest in a particular estate that will pass to one at some future date, as on the death of the current possessor

4. a number of copies of a book left unsold when demand slows or ceases, which are sold at a reduced price by the publisher

verb

1. (tr) to sell (copies of a book) as a remainder

remainder

1. In division, the difference between the dividend and the product of the quotient and divisor. Dividing 14 by 3 gives 4 and a remainder of 2.

Word History and Origins

Origin of remainder¹

1350–1400; Middle English from Anglo-French, noun use of Middle French remaindre “to remain ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of remainder¹

C15: from Anglo-French, from Old French remaindre (infinitive used as noun), variant of remanoir ; see _remain

Synonym Study

Remainder, balance, residue, surplus refer to a portion left over. Remainder is the general word ( the remainder of one's life ); it may refer in particular to the mathematical process of subtraction: 7 minus 5 leaves a remainder of 2. Balance, originally a bookkeeper's term referring to the amount of money left to one's account ( a bank balance ), is often used as a synonym for remainder : the balance of the day. Residue is used particularly to designate what remains as the result of a process; this is usually a chemical process, but the word may also refer to a legal process concerning inheritance: a residue of ash left from burning leaves. Surplus suggests that what remains is in excess of what was needed: a surplus of goods.

Example Sentences

Adams will serve out the remainder of his term, which ends on 1 January.

From BBC

A Vandenberg spokesperson said the base expects to maintain “a steady space and test-launch cadence for the remainder of the year” but couldn’t provide exact figures.

From Los Angeles Times

The remainder were supposed to be disarmed and demobilised.

From BBC

The far-right politician and Holocaust denier was allowed by a judicial council to serve the remainder of his 13-year sentence in the confines of his home on health grounds on Friday, state media reports.

From BBC

World number seven Jack Draper was unavailable for the tie because of an arm injury which has ruled him out of the remainder of the season.

From BBC

Related Words

• rest